Method of fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.



l. SLAND memos 0F FIXATION 0F MMOSPHERIC NHROGEN.

APPLICATION FILED OCT.25,197.

the expansion chamber 9 Where they immeiiiiitelyexp'lud and are then carried through a suitable eooling chamber which is Shown in the drawings a's a tubular condenser 10 arranged at the outer end 'of the expansion chamberf The manner of introduction of the air to the annular space between thel electrodes may `be varied, though it is preferred to introduce'the Same through a hollow electrode because of thecooling influence upon the metal but, as in the form of apparatus illustrated in'Fig. 2, the air may be introduced directly 'into the annular passage between the electrodes or into an annular receptacle ll communicating with the annular passage 8.

In the diagram shown in Fig. 4 .the electric flame is illustrated in various stages of distension and this is intended to show how when the l'loW of air through the annular space S commences the zone of flame which naturally forms in the shortest path in a straight line between the electrodes, is bowed mitwardly and flows from the end surfaces oi"- the electrodes and as the pressure is constant .the force of the air gradually elongates the flanieuntil it distende to form a long tapering annular zone bounded on each side by the electric flame'. The strength of the are and the flow of air are regulated so that the pressure of the air will not be sunicient toprevent the flow of the current and there* fore the arc is not destroyed but is elongated to such an extent as to allow of its penetration at different points around the perimeter of its zone of flame and the products of the electro-thermal inluence upon'the air pass beyond and into the expansion chamiber. This'peculiar condition results in a remar-lo ably low temperaturelof the resultant within the expansion and cooling' chambers and the ultimate results produced in actmil operation of this process insure the production of oXids of nitrogen in great quantities and at a minimum cost; i

lVhat I claim as my invention is 1. A method of fixation of atmospheric nitrogen consisting in directing av current of air through an annular zone of electric flame to distend the flame into an unrestricted space creating a ame annulus of double Walled tubular formation. t,

2. A method of tix-ation ot atmospheric nitrogen consisting in creating a Walled tubular iame emanating uniformi from a pair of electrodes and mainteiniuggj a constant iow of air between the tubular Walls and directingthe oxidized air into a' cooling chamber immediately it passes trom the zone of electro-thermal influence.

8. A methodof fixation of atmospheric nitrogen consisting indirecting a current of air through an annular )passage between the electrodes into an unrestricted space. in a direction substantially atfriglht'l angles to the faces o" the electrodesy and forminga tubular Zone of electro-thermal influencel 

